After 6 Generations, We've Never Seen This Before

A Humbling Discovery in Our Hay Field

For six generations, our family has farmed this land.

Every year we walk fields, plant crops, harvest hay, care for livestock, and pay attention to the countless details that come with raising food. You would think after all that time, there wouldn't be many surprises left.

This spring proved otherwise.

While checking a newly planted hay field, we began noticing turtle nests. Then another. And another.

Before long, it became clear that this wasn't a random occurrence. There were hundreds of them.

Some had already hatched successfully. Others had been dug up by predators. We found empty shells scattered nearby and even coyote droppings next to a few nests. It was a fascinating glimpse into a world that had been unfolding right alongside our daily farm work.

What struck me most wasn't just the number of nests. It was the reminder that this farm is part of a much larger ecosystem.

We spend a lot of time talking about the animals we raise and the food we produce. But these fields also provide habitat for wildlife we rarely get the chance to observe so closely. Seeing so many turtles choose this field for nesting was inspiring, interesting, and humbling all at the same time.

In the video, you'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at Nick raking hay and learn a little more about how we manage forage for our livestock. The hay we harvest today becomes the feed that carries our cattle and sheep through the winter months.

Sometimes farming is about production.

Sometimes it's about stewardship.

And every once in a while, the land reminds us that it has stories of its own to tell.

Watch the video below and let us know if you've ever witnessed anything like this before.